Swimming with sharks in Karimunjawa

Can we enjoy marine life such as diving and snorkeling in Java?. It seems too far to go to Wakatobi dive resort in Southeast Sulawesi or Moyo Island in West Nusatenggara to do such wonderful sea activities. However, if we live in Java, we do not need to go too far to do such wonderful sea activities.

Central Java has a fabulous Island when we can enjoy the marine life both above and below the sea. One of the numerous nature-based tourism spots in the province is Karimunjawa. Karimun jawa is a newly discovered untouched virgin paradise.

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Karimunjawa is an archipelago of 27 islands in the Java Sea, Indonesia. The Karimunjawa archipelago is located in the Java Sea, north of the capital city of Semarang.It is designated as a national marine park. Being declared as a national park in 1988, the Karimunjawa National Park is one amongst seven marine national parks in Indonesia and was among the first areas recognised as being important for conservation and marine biodiversity protection.

Karimunjawa consists of many small islands, with the two main Islands. The main island is known as Karimun while the second-largest island is Kemujan. The smaller are Menjangan Besar Island, and Menjangan Kecil Island and some other even smaller, uninhabited islands.

Karimunjawa is a part of the Jepara district of Central Java province. It is approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Jepara. It can be reach about four to five hours drive from Semarang. The name of Karimunjawa comes from Javanese language means ‘a stone’s throw from Java’.

Being the closest marine national park from Central Java, Karimunjawa attracts those who wish to take in its natural beauty and learn about marine life. As a marine national park, Karimunjawa has five types of ecosystems: coral reef, sea grass and seaweed, mangrove forest, coastal forest and low land tropical rainforest.

Many researchers have been attracted to the marine biodiversity and pristine forest as well as the uniqueness of the Karimunjawa archipelago. The biodiversity found in Karimunjawa is wonderful; among the most significant are the 44 different species of mangroves, 11 species of sea grass, 9 species of sea weed, and 444 species of fish. The coral itself has 176 different species that you likely want to see while snorkeling. This island is well known as paradise for scuba divers because of its underwater charm.

Going to Karimun Java Island makes you wish to stay in this Paradise Island forever since you can do many wondrous activities here. What you can do is to visit several Islands in Karimunjawa to make long life experience of your holiday. Those Islands are:

Menjangan Kecil Island

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This Island is quite small. The area is about 47 hectares. It is about 15 minutes from Karimunjawa port. This island is far from crowded and the hustle bustle of the life. You may feel the peace of the place. Therefore, it is so good for a picnic spot with family or your mate. This island is very popular for snorkeling spot since the beauty of the marine life.

You will find many beautiful fish and fringing reef. The reef is smaller but better than in Menjangan besar Island. Instead of snorkeling, you may rent a glass bottom boat to enjoy the underwater park here. Many tourists often go to this island to get a rest and have a lunch while enjoying white sandy beaches. Besides snorkeling, you can do camping in this island. Cook your own fish over a campfire!. How wonderful isn’t it!.

Cemara Besar Island

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The island has an area of approximately 3,5 hectares, uninhabited and contains only the virgin evergreen forest. Shallow water does not allow and makes it impossible for boats to docked, so the only way is by foot to reach the beach. Swimming the purple border water, you will be greeted by the beauty in shapes and colors of the colar reef.

Start from table colar which look like giant mushrooms, brain colar, staghorn colar to a small colar reef colourful berries similar to green algae makes the sea floor around it look so awesome.

In the middle of park’s coral reefs are school of fish and a beautiful little black turquoise as well as many other species of fish. How admiring!. Besides snorkeling, “gosongan” white sand is the perfect place for sunbathing and enjoying the silence of nature that is so soothing.

Cemara Kecil Island

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It has an area of approximately 1,5 hectares. Similar to Cemara Besar Island, this island is uninhabited and since the water is shallow, you should be drop off the boat and walk on to the sea to reach the island as it has no dock for the ship anchored in the waters. The beauty of the white sand is fabulous. Here is the spot for diving and snorkeling. In evening, this Island is a place for tourists to do party.

Tengah Island (Central Island)

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Measuring only approximately 4 hectares, The island is located approximately 1,5 hours drive from the main island (Karimun), it is one of the favorite places for the visitor to stop and burn the fish. Bright blue waters enclose the island, filled with table corals and brain corals and visible beneath the surface even at a depth of 10 meters.

Two resorts are built in the shade of palm trees, ready to become a place of rest in this island. If you want to feel different sensations, 3 floating resort complete with a shark breeding pond in front of it are available to spend wonderful nights and have romantic dinner under the starry sky while enjoying fresh seafood from the fisherman. (more information culinary in Karimunjawa)

Menjangan Besar Island

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Menjangan Besar Island has an area about 56 hectares. It is not populated. This island is located about 10 minutes from the south of Karimunjawa Islands. The island is used as a place of captivity of sharks, turtles and Javan hawk. The activity that you must try in this Island is swimming with sharks. They are smaller than usual and won’t bite you, but make sure you are not on period and don’t have any wounds on your body.

So, what do you think? Are you interested to go there and swim with sharks?.